Our new season begins in October 2023! Join us for Tai Chi and Qigong at the Regent Centre on Locke Street South.

On Hiatus, September 18-October 16 2014

I am taking a break from teaching for the next month. My regular classes at the Regent Centre will resume the first week after Thanksgiving. The first class back will be Friday, October 17. Tai Chi for Beginners starts on Saturday, October 18. 

During this month, Gillianne Shaver will still be running Wednesday classes (1:15-2:15pm) at the Regent Centre. These classes focus on Tai Chi for Beginners. Gillianne will stop accepting new students on September 24, however, so join on or before that date if you want to be a part of the Wednesday afternoon class.

One of the things I always try to emphasize to my students and clients is that Tai Chi and Qigong are very powerful tools for self-healing and self-improvement on all levels. The only problem is that you have to actually practice!

In order to keep my teaching up to date and to keep myself in a good place, I am constantly refining my own technique and abilities. This includes adding new skills and making sure I spend time on my meditation, Qigong and Tai Chi exercise, as well as the other internal martial arts I practice. This means that for every hour of class I teach, I do at least an hour and a half of my own practice.

I'm mentioning this because I think it's important for you to know how I approach Tai Chi and Qigong for myself. I don't know if you've ever had cause to think about it, but when it comes to practices like Tai Chi and Qigong, or anything that is at its core about personal development, your teacher is only as good as his or her own practice. My promise to my students is that I will never stop deepening my own practice, so I can always bring fresh insight to class.

This year I'm taking a month away to recharge my batteries and focus on my own practice so I can return to class fresh after Thanksgiving. The Dundurn Park session on September 17 will be my last class until I return on Friday, October 17 for the regular advanced Tai Chi session. After that, we'll be following the regular winter schedule, which you can read about here:


If I don't see you before I leave, I hope to see you when I return! Have a spectacular end of summer / beginning of fall.


Qigong Workshop for Beginners, September 14, 2014

Enrollment in all workshops is limited. Contact Melissa at smithmk2@gmail.com or (905) 521-0043 for more information or to register.


Eight Silk Brocades Qigong for BeginnersSunday, September 14, 2014, 1-5pm
Location: Regent Health Centre, 150 Locke Street South
Fee: $75, includes materials and refreshments
This workshop is especially for Beginners.


Eight Silk Brocades is a beautiful and self-contained Qigong routine that you can learn in the course of an afternoon. It is especially useful to daily practice because it requires only a small amount of space to perform, and can be done in as little as ten minutes.

This workshop will include instruction in Qigong meditation, guided visualization exercises to help you relax, and an introduction to the Eight Silk Brocades routine. You'll receive a handout to take with you to remind you of what you've learned. Refreshments provided.

All skill levels and abilities welcome.

Free Classes at the Locke Street Festival, Saturday, September 6, 2014

If you're at the Locke Street Festival this Saturday, September 6th, and you want to get away from the crowd for a bit, chill out in a quiet place, and learn some Tai Chi or Qigong, have I got a deal for you!

I'll be opening my classes at the Regent Centre Studio that day to anyone who wants to stop by. You can come by and try Qigong from 2-3pm or Tai Chi from 3-4:00. Lessons are completely free and appropriate for beginners. People seem to think that they can't wander into the Centre off the street, but there is an open house policy on the day of the festival, so come in if you're arriving any time between 2-3pm or 3-4. Don't be shy!

I plan to be at the Regent Centre tent from around noon-ish if you want to drop by and ask questions or get more info about my programs. We'll be out front of 150 Locke Street South, next to Starbucks.